Hector Tito Rivera + Musician in Meriden, CT

SEEKING

ABOUT

Over a decade of persistently following his passion for music, Hector Tito Rivera settles with local talented musicians and forms his band. Composed of musicians influenced in rock, Latin soul, reggae, North and South American roots, he decides to do something different and unique.

IMPORTADOS band performs a mix of Latin rock, pop and salsa to create a Latin sound for the 21st century. The band's musicians are based out of different parts of Latin South America and cultures, hence their name, IMPORTADOS which means Imported, they started by paying tribute to the unique genre of Latin pop-rock covering works from Santana, Mana, Juan Luis Guerra, Fania Allstars, and others. Over a year as the group has evolved via changing memberships, musical taste and experience, IMPORTADOS repertoire is expanding to include it's own originals, salsa, soul, and unique latinized arrangements of popular songs. The result is great Latin music for all people to move and groove by.

IMPORTADOS current membership draws from a diverse collection of musicians whose experience reflects that diversity. In addition to Latin and all its facets, IMPORTADOS musicians are involved with jazz, R&B, blues and other projects with each style being heard throughout Importados performance.

Today they are bringing they latest covers in Rock, Salsa, merengue, bachata and much more to entertain with diversity, which little by little are gaining attention.

Hector Tito Rivera extended bio:

Born in Manhattan, NY and raised in Puerto Rico, Hector (Tito) Rivera, aka "Titoroq" demonstrated passion for music at age 12. He started playing drums in church and later the guitar at age 15. After mastering these instruments he was an active musician at his local church where he also started singing and learned how to play bass guitar.

At the age of 18, he moved to Connecticut where he continued studying the guitar. In 1999, he joined a Christian rock band called "Three to One" as the bassist of the band and toured all of New England. Later in year 2000, the band recorded their first indie label album in Nashville, TN and toured a successful album release.

In 2003, Hector decided to take his musical experiences and talents to a higher level and enrolled at The Hartford Conservatory of Music after receiving a scholarship, and studied with Brazilian jazz guitarist Joe Carter. He later decided that he wanted a classical background as well and decided to study with Dave Giardina in year 2005. He went back to study more jazz guitar with Jim Martin and Dave Dana. He also studied piano with Walter Gwardyak to fulfill program and teaching requirements. He earned a diploma in Music Pedagogy in 2007 and Recording Arts in 2009.

Hector began to study the piano in 2003 and began to teach the instrument in 2007. He studied privately under pianist Walter Gwardyak, director of The New England Jazz Ensemble and the dean of Jazz Performance at the conservatory. He later instructed children between the ages of 4 and 12 in an afterschool piano program and continued on to perform with bands as a keyboardist. Hector also extended his teaching talents to church groups and private students.

While still in school, he interned and taught for National Music Workshop as a guitar and bass instructor. Hector later joined the Hartford Conservatory community faculty staff in 2007, where he taught piano and guitar. He also began teaching at the Classical Magnet School in Hartford. Throughout the years, Hector was an active musician and the director of music at his church.

He helped form and worked with a Latin Jazz Band in 2011, called Sonido Libre. After a year and a half, he moved on and formed his own band, IMPORTADOS, a mixture of different ethnic musicians, adding different cultures and flavor to the band. He feels most proud when one of his students develops and progresses, in their own current band.

Music has to be part of Rivera's everyday life. Hector always says, "It's not the music itself, it's what you perceive through it!” He is driven by this thought as he continues to study the guitar and other instruments. He also composes and arranges his music.

Hector is most influenced by Latin jazz, although in his playing and techniques he incorporates all styles of music, including rock and blues. His influences are: Carlos Santana, Pat Metheny, Sergio Vallin (guitarist from Maná), Maná, The Edge (U2), The police, Eric Clapton, The Cranberries, Counting Crows, Petra, Guardian, Juan Luis Guerra, Joe Carter, Eric Johnson, Fania All stars. He is working on an album that will reflect all of his combined years of learning, influences and experiences. With this album, he wants to continue spreading the joy and energy of his passion for music.

He currently works with churches in the community teaching, directing and doing sound engineering. He also networks with other respected musicians around the Hartford County.

Hector teaches with passion passing along his years of experience. He loves to see someone that starts with a dream and finishes with an achievement. He says, "Everyone learns differently, therefore there has to be a different approach to those who need it."

Screen name:

Hector Tito Rivera

Member since:

Jun 12 2007

Active within 1 week

Level of commitment:

Very Committed

Years playing music:

20

Gigs played:

Over 100

Tend to practice:

More than 3 times per week

Available to gig:

1 night a week

Most available:

Nights

Influences

Mana, Carlos Santana, Sergio Vallin, Pat Metheny, Geroge Benson, Counting Crows, Hillsong, Mercy me, Casting Crowns, Third Day, Russell Malone, The Cranberries, Petra, Fiel a la Vega, Samuel Hernandez, Roberto Orellana, Juan Luis Guerra, Eric Clapton, BB King, West Montgomery, George Benson, Mark Gutierrez, Switchfoot, Kutless, Stryper, Skillet, Fania All Stars, SALSA.....

Instrument experience:

Background Singer:

Expert

Vocalist:

Expert

Rhythm Guitar:

Expert

Acoustic Guitar:

Expert

Bass Guitar:

Expert

Keyboard:

Advanced

Piano:

Advanced

Lead Guitar:

Advanced

Other Percussion:

Advanced

Drums:

Moderate

EQUIPMENT

Behringer mixers, Fender Strat, Taylor guitars, PRS Custom24 guitar, boss gt 6, Boss pedals, Kemper profiling amp, Fender 4x10 hotrod deville, Ibanez classical guitar, peavey bass guitar, crate acoustic guitar amp, pevey 112 guitar amp, shure mics, monster cables, Yamaha Motif rack, D addario strings, fender and dunlops guitar picks

MUSIC